Author Archives: SL

Argumentative writing is all around us. It’s everywhere in the real world. When we teach our children this mode of writing, we are preparing them for their tomorrows. Argument writing is not new and includes Professional debates Cover letter pitches … Continue reading →

Good writers follow a process. Teaching students the writing process is setting them up for more success. The first copy is also called a rough draft or a sloppy copy and is created after the prewriting step. Once the sloppy … Continue reading →

Writing FORCES thinking, about the unknown, as well as the known. This forces ACTIVE learning. Writing strengthens understanding, allows connections with prior learning, increases retention, and helps develop vocabulary. Since this is all accurate, why are we not having our … Continue reading →

Valentine’s Day. For many, it’s a day of love, endless joy, and doting on those we hold dear. Chocolates, flowers, handmade cards, and words of affirmation pepper the atmosphere. For others, it’s a reminder of the hurt from the past, … Continue reading →

Rubrics Extra Instruction Reteaching Skills Mini-lessons Modification Allowing extra time Praising performance and effort Increasing student writing conferences Pairing up peers Revise and edit one skill at a time. RTI What are you currently doing to gauge your students’ writing … Continue reading →

Yes, many Gifted students also have been diagnosed with ADHD. Knowing this and appropriate writing strategies will make your life…and theirs…much better. To be honest, any students who have characteristics of ADHD, though not diagnosed, may benefit just as well … Continue reading →

Think about the ways you learned new vocabulary and then throw that information away. Times have changed, and to be honest, some of the ways we were taught new vocabulary did not work. Research and student observations in our own … Continue reading →

When students are asked to write in a social studies classroom, they are generally being asked to write to demonstrate the knowledge they have been taught. They are being asked to write to see what they have learned. Writing in … Continue reading →

After having taught students for over 40 years, I know writing instruction is not easy. It is downright hard even for those of us who are comfortable with teaching it. I have seen so many teaching “fads” come and go … Continue reading →

The goal for all students is the same–to develop knowledge about forms of writing, basic writing skills, strategies for effective writing, and motivation. All students need to be taught strategies for planning, revising, and self-regulation. Strategies take several weeks to … Continue reading →